Writing chemical reactions

John Ayers

Vanderbilt University

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Initial Publication Date: June 28, 2010 | Reviewed: June 8, 2013 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

This is a simple introduction to writing weathering and redox reactions by hand and by using the Rxn program in the Geochemists Workbench. Its usually the first HW assignment I give in my class "Geochemical Modeling".

Aqueous Solutions, Acid/Base Reactions, Oxidation/Reduction ...(more) | College Upper (15-16), Graduate/Professional

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Context

Audience

Upper level undergraduate and graduate classes in Geochemistry or Geochemical Modeling.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Knowledge of how to write balanced chemical reactions and corresponding equilibrium constant expressions (need to know how to use logarithms). Familiarity with the phase rule and how to interpret activity diagrams.

How the activity is situated in the course

Homework assignment #1. The second homework assignment is also available as an activity sheet.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Exercise teaches students how to write complex weathering and redox reactions and the corresponding equilibrium constant expressions. It also asks them to use the expressions to answer geochemically relevant questions.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Development of geochemical models, interpretation

Other skills goals for this activity

Use of the Geochemists Workbench

Description of the activity/assignment

In this homework exercise students learn how to write balanced chemical equations describing weathering and redox reactions by hand and by using the Geochemists Workbench.